A HOSPICE that cares for people in South Gloucestershire welcomed a special visitor in the form of actress and Strictly Come Dancing star Sunetra Sarker.

Ms Sarker, who is currently starring as Dr Zoe Hanna in hit drama Casualty, paid a visit to St Peter’s Hospice on Thursday, May 14 to meet with patients and take a tour around the facilities.

Ms Sarker said: “St Peter’s Hospice is a wonderful charity and it has been a pleasure to meet with the inspirational patients and staff here.

“I’ve witnessed first-hand the incredible work they do and it’s really brought it home how important end-of-life services like this are not only for making the patients comfortable but also supporting family members at a very difficult time.

“It’s so important to support charities like this so they are able to keep up the good work in the community.”

Head of supporter relations at St Peter’s Hospice, John Flanagan, said: “Visits like this to the hospice are always such a lovely boost for patients. In Sunetra’s case many of the patients and staff are huge fans of Strictly Come Dancing and Casualty so they were delighted with the surprise. “Sunetra chatted to staff and supporters and learnt more about what we do here. We were so pleased to welcome her and would like to say a big thanks for helping to spread the word about hospice care; it really means a lot.”

St Peter’s Hospice is a charity which supports adults with life-limiting illnesses, and cares for more than 2,670 patients each year as well as supporting family members.

It is Bristol’s only hospice and all services are provided free of charge but this care costs around £18,630 a day.

For around £14,000 of that, the hospice relies on gifts in wills, kind donations and funds generated by the hospice shops.

To find out more about St Peter’s Hospice visit www.stpetershospice.org.